kingdom-krud Reviews

Exit Humanity (2011)

Pretty Good Undead Historical Piece

[6/10 · 1 June 2012]

Exit Humanity is not a movie to watch for action, blood and gore. It's a slow period piece that follows one man's journey of survival through an undead outbreak after the civil war.

It's got a great 1860's feel to it, pretty good acting and script, a plot with lots of potential, and is interspersed with some superb narration & animated sequences.

But there are 2 major flaws to Exit Humanity:

1) It is Slow. This movie is about 110min long, and it should have been 80. Long periods given to the protagonist's grief should have been pared down.

2) The script/plot touches onto the history and ancient origin of the undead, and a possible cure, but doesn't go further. I was hoping the protagonist would continue his journey of discovery concerning the undead - which via his journal, would connect & help fight the 20th century outbreaks. But no, this potentially exiting avenue was left unexplored.

Pretty good movie: I give Exit Humanity 6 out of 10.

John Carter (2012)

What?! This was an Excellent Movie!

[8/10 · 19 May 2012]

It is now clear to me how pre-release reviews by movie critics can make or break a film. What were these critics thinking when they watched John Carter? Was it too complicated, too detailed, too fun?

Whatever the case, they got it completely wrong. John Carter is a great movie and instant classic. I loved it.

It is done in the vein of star wars and lord of the rings - complete with a detailed new world stocked with a variety of warring races, exotic (highly detailed) animals, and a manipulative godlike race working to control all that happens.

Plus it's got John Carter, with a superior & imaginative transport method between earth and mars.

My rating - a high 8, and I'm going to watch it again!

Act of Valor (2012)

True to Life Military Black Ops - Makes you Think

[5/10 · 18 May 2012]

The black Ops sequences in Act of Valor including the seal's strategy, preparation, execution, and violence, all looked superior to anything I've ever seen. This was the absolute best part of the movie. If it was all this good, I would have rated it a 9.

However, the seal's home life, interpersonal banter, and connections with family, all seemed very 2 dimensional, hollow, macho, and unreal. Can real men act like this? This is the part of the movie that took down my rating.

But it was this part of the movie - the seal's homelife - that really got me thinking beyond the movie itself - and here's my commentary on the future of USA military black ops programs and the people in it.

I am in awe of these black ops seals, and I respect them for their dedication and sacrifices to protect us. However, can 'normal' men kill with abandon on Monday, and come home to their kids birthday party on tuesday? Can they really have any kind of normal homelife?

Maybe it's time for the Military/CIA to recruit only single, macho, passionate, ultimately dedicated men for these duties, and forbid any life outside. No wife, no kids, no home, other than the palatial apartment provided on their base. Take care of them completely, pay them well, provide short term relationships, allow monitored interactions with family, but watch them closely when they interact with civilians. Once in the world of killing by command or survival, they should not have to deal with the baggage of a home life. Jason Bourne, here we come.

Van Helsing (2004)

I Love Van Helsing!

[8/10 · 11 May 2012]

Why is it that film critics and film goers don't like Van Helsing? I'm completely baffled, because I love it! It's gotta be an 8 out of 10, no?

It has everything that must be in a mindless fantasy film:

1) great bad guys (tough and thoughtful vampires, nasty werewolves, and a host of lesser ghouls)

2) Great good guy - Hugh Jackman is da man!

3) Touch of comedy to lighten the scariness.

4) Love interest - Kate B!

5) fast paced action - it never slows down.

6) Superior FX and locations and setwork.

I come back to this movie every 4 years as I forget the details, and it never fails to make me smile. I love Van Helsing.

I rate it 8 out of 10 - a superior movie and I recommend it to everyone!

The Dragon Pearl (2011)

Almost Good Kids Film

[6/10 · 4 May 2012]

I rated the Dragon Pearl a 6. For me, liking is >7, and disliking is <5, so this one fell into the Almost Good or Kinda Liked region.

It's a movie to take your preteen kids to and feel good about (if they aren't movie buffs).

The positives are: - the movie speeds along quickly to use up it's 95 minutes - has a reasonable script - nice mix of Aussie and Chinese actors, with the kids being best - dragon FX are good/minimal/oriental looking

The bads are: - Sam Neil was in it and didn't want to be - story line is way too predictable with typical parent/kid relationships - action sequences really should be left out, they are awful

My rating is 6 out of 10: I kinda liked this almost good movie

Sword of Desperation (2010)

Watch to feel Japanese Samurai Culture and History

[8/10 · 25 April 2012]

One way to review this film would be to explain the plot and twists and story, but this movie is really about something different. Watch and see.

If you watch it all, you can get a feel of the Japanese samurai culture of discipline and their history of patience and obedience. You can sort of see how the fief system worked, and how the samurai dealt with their ruling clan, even when these rulers were dishonest.

The movie does a great job of slowly unfolding the samurai culture. You won't get it all unless you watch it all.

If you have the patience to watch it, you will be rewarded. I was.

My rating is 8 out of 10.

Haywire (2011)

Ghost Protocol Light

[8/10 · 20 April 2012]

I didn't know where Haywire was taking me, but when I got there I was satiated.

Haywire has a tight, well edited plot-line, with lots of turns and twists, but the final plot answers are only being revealed at the finish. But even then, many of the characters and their motives are left open. In many ways it reminded me of ghost protocol, but shorter & lighter.

The script is my version of superior - it's spare, crisp, and to the point. And the action scenes feel like they are choreographed - and they are absorbing.

And finally, the protagonist is a new female action star in making. Maybe not the greatest actress yet, but an action star yes. I can't wait for the sequel.

My rating: 8 out-of 10.

The Darkest Hour (2011)

5 out of 10

[5/10 · 1 April 2012]

I generally liked this movie, even though the overall quality was 'made- for-TV'. What I liked was the:

1) Script, which is quick, reasonably coherent, and true to life, er, I mean made for TV life. 2) Killed off Protagonists - they weren't afraid, even the key folks. 3) Plot moved reasonably fast - even if it looked made for TV. 4) It's in Moskow - refreshing and different.

What I didn't like was: 1) Aliens were invisible!? Blatant cost cutting measure. 2) Aliens were dumb - where are their sensors to detect the beans - human beans? They float around looking for the surviving beans? You know, they were smart enough to come from outer space. 3) Action is mostly dumb beans running from the aliens. I hate dumb bean chase scenes.

So, 5 out of 10. A good diversion for an hour+, but not much more.

Mozart's Sister (2010)

Interesting & Believable Slice of Mozart Family Live

[8/10 · 21 February 2012]

I didn't know what to expect with the movie Mozart's Sister, but I was surprised - it was very good - even watching it with subtitles.

The movie gives a very believable and intimate picture of father Leopold Mozart's young family - with prodigies Wolfgang at age 11 and older sister Anna Maria (Nannerl) at 14 - and mainly involves their travels seeking musical glory. It has all the stuff you'd expect in a 1760's family including musical practice, family fun and playful laughter, adventures, and also Wolfgang and Nannerl's wish to compose. Good script, well paced and interesting plot, and a focus on Nannerl make this a winner. I might watch it again!

My Rank: 8 / 10.

Immortals (2011)

A Good 6 out of 10

[6/10 · 20 February 2012]

Yes, the Immortals was a bit of a shallow tale, will limited character development and lackluster script. There's not a lot of unknowns in this movie, in the end, you know the good guys will win.

But it was done well with good graphics, with well done bad guys and heros, and best of all, the story speeds along nicely without me ever wishing for it to be shorter.

In many movies like this, the fight scenes seem to last forever, in a bad way. But not in the Immortals, the length, style, and bloodiness of the fight scenes were just about right.

6 out of 10 - in a good way.

Jerusalem Countdown (2011)

Preaching to the Choir

[1/10 · 17 February 2012]

Beware potential viewers, this movie has TWO major negatives that make it a doubly awful flick:

1) It's script and plot are 2 steps BELOW made-for-TV. 2) It's clearly created by a pro-Christian organization to proselytize.

Problem is, even if you are a bible believing fundamentalist Christian, the movie is still awful. The script is unbelievable, but even worse is the long pauses between statements, when actors talking to one another. Why do they do that? Don't you know that to make it believable - ya gotta talk normal actor folks! Please don't waste 80 minutes on this.

My rating 1/10.

Drive (I) (2011)

Superior Building Thriller with Chilling Bursts of Violence

[9/10 · 30 January 2012]

Great movie. I was enthralled watching Drive unfold; my favorite movies don't tell you where they're going, and Drive is one of those.

The movie has superior building tension, with patient and paused dialog and characters that are caring and full, but with menace lurking just below the surface. Some might say this movie starts as 'boring'; I say intriguing.

And in the middle of the slowly building tension, juxtaposed against the calm and comedic personalities, stunning violence erupts - short in duration but extremely disturbing. Wow.

For me, Albert Brooks is tremendous - lulling us into his mild comedic personality and dialog - and then spinning our head with a burst of chilling violence.

Rank 9/10 - must see.

Point Blank (2010)

Fast Fun Believable Action

[9/10 · 11 January 2012]

Yup, Point Blank is a no lulls, come-atcha action movie made all the more believable by the nice plot and superior script. No superspy here, just an everyman caught up in the wrong place & time.

And yes, there are a few plot twists that I find a bit hard to swallow, but because the protagonist is so compelling & believable, I'll take them without looking back.

I credit the editing on this movie for keeping it surgically precise. There are no breaks or falters, Point Blank keeps building towards it's action climax.

9/10 - Highly Recommended.

30 Rock (2006–2013)

Wow - didn't know TV could be this funny

[10/10 · 21 November 2011]

I've been away - for the last 20 years working in the middle east. While I heard about it, I never saw 30 Rock. But I came back this year for good, and watched a rerun on a whim - and wow - weird fast witty and very funny. So I started watching from the season one pilot - and I'm blown away. Although I've got a couple decades to catch up on, this is by far the best comedy series/sitcom I've ever watched.

Best ever comedy writing & timing - check. Best character ensemble & usage - check. Best leads with Fey & Baldwin - check. Constant belly laughs and awesome wittiness - check.

My gage had been Seinfeld, but now it's 30 Rock. I'm in love, and I've got 5 seasons left to watch! Needless to say, I'm excited for what 21st century USA TV have to offer!